Justice Minister Peter MacKay says government has no plans to decriminalize marijuana

Federal Justice Minister Peter MacKay landed in the Prince of Pot’s hometown Wednesday and made it clear his government won’t loosen marijuana laws.

MacKay, in London for a community roundtable on justice issues, made his government’s position on pot clear the day after activist Marc Emery’s return to Canada after serving time in a U.S. jail for selling marijuana seeds

MacKay answered media ­questions on a wide range of ­topics:

Q: Marc Emery said he is now going to actively campaign for reforms of the marijuana laws. What are your thoughts about this and Emery’s return to Canada?

We do not favour legalization, we do not favour decriminalization. We are looking at various options that would give police more ability, in fact, to enforce the law, in a way that’s fair, in a way that reflects the reality. It is our intention to continue to uphold the law that does not allow the proliferation of drug use and marijuana.

Q: (Former Canada Food Inspection Agency scientist) Klaus Neilson has just pleaded guilty in court today in Ottawa for smuggling into China bacteria that could be turned into a vaccine for a cow disease called brucellosis. His accomplice, Wei Ling Yu, is still wanted on a Canada-wide warrant and believed to be in China. What is the status of that investigation into her?

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency . . . is co-operating very closely with the RCMP and their investigation. (The agency has) also recently taken more proactive steps to improve their security. With respect to outstanding warrants of individuals . . . I’m not at liberty to say more.

Q: What do you hope to accomplish at today’s round-table?

This is an opportunity to get important community and individual feedback on . . . a range of other criminal justice initiatives including impaired driving, including subjects that pertain to violence, cyberbullying, sexual violence against women.

Q: Are there changes you want to explore in terms of the proposed prostitution legislation?

I think we have it right . . . in a way that recognizes the individual community and protective elements and . . . puts the focus on those who are most vulnerable: those who are being exploited, those who bear the brunt and misery of that exploitative relationship that so often exists when it comes to prostitution and going after those who are almost entirely responsible.